Stand Into Danger

by Alexander Kent

  Dumaresq did not raise his voice nor look at his coxswain, but said, “See what you can do, Johns.”

  It was all he said, but Bolitho sensed a powerful bond between the captain and his coxswain.

  Dumaresq stared toward the landing-stairs. There were more uniforms and some horses. A carriage, too, probably to carry the visitors to the residency.

  Dumaresq pouted and said, “You can accompany me. Good experience for you.” He chuckled. “When the treasure ship Asturias broke off the engagement all those thirty years ago, it was later rumoured she entered Rio. It was also suggested that the Portuguese authorities had a hand in what happened to the bullion.” He smiled broadly. “So some of the people on that jetty are probably more worried than I at this moment.”

  The bowman raised his boat-hook as with oars tossed the gig moved against the landing-stairs with barely a quiver.

  Dumaresq’s smile had gone. “Now let us get on with it. I want to get back as soon as possible and see how Mr Palliser’s persuasion is progressing.”

  At the top of the stairs a file of Colpoys’ marines, their faces the colour of their coats in the blazing sunshine, snapped to attention. Opposite them, in white tunics with brilliant yellow trappings, was a guard of Portuguese soldiers.

  Dumaresq shook hands and bowed to several of the waiting dignitaries as greetings were formally exchanged and translated. A crowd of onlookers stood watching nearby, and Bolitho was struck by the number of black faces amongst them. Slaves or servants from the big estates and plantations. Brought thousands of miles to this place where, with luck, they might be bought by a kind master. If unlucky, they would not last very long.

  Then Dumaresq climbed into the carriage with three of the Portuguese while others mounted their horses.

  Colpoys sheathed his sword and glared up at the Viceroy’s residence on a lush hillside and complained, “We shall have to march, dammit! I am a marine, not a bloody foot-soldier!”

  By the time they reached the fine-looking building Bolitho was soaking with sweat. While the marines were led to the rear of the house by a servant, Bolitho and Colpoys were ushered into a high-ceilinged room with one side open to the sea and a garden of vivid blossoms and shady palms.

  More servants, soft-footed and careful to keep their eyes averted from the two officers, brought chairs and wine, and above their heads a great fan began to sway back and forth.

  Colpoys stretched out his legs and swallowed the wine with relish.

  “Sweet as a hymn in chapel!”

  Bolitho smiled. The Portuguese officials, the military and traders lived well here. They would need something to sustain them against the heat and the risk of fever and death in a dozen forms. But the wealth of the growing empire was said to be too vast to be assessed. Silver, precious stones, strange metals and miles of prospering sugar plantations, no wonder they needed an army of slaves to satisfy the demands from far-off Lisbon.

  Colpoys put down his glass and got to his feet. In the time it had taken them to march up from the jetty to the residence, Dumaresq had apparently completed his business.

  From his expression as he appeared through an arched doorway, Bolitho guessed he was far from satisfied.

  Dumaresq said, “We shall return to the ship.”

  The farewells were completed at the residence this time, and Bolitho began to realize that the Viceroy was not in Rio, but would return as soon as he was told of Destiny’s visit.

  Dumaresq explained as much as he strode into the sunlight, touching his hat to the saluting guards as he went.

  He growled in his resonant voice, “That means he insists I wait for his return. I was not born yesterday, Bolitho. These people are our oldest allies, but some of them are not above a little piracy. Well, Viceroy or not, when Heloise catches up with us I shall weigh when I’m good and ready!”

  To Colpoys he said, “March your men back.” As the scarlet coats moved away in a cloud of dust, Dumaresq climbed into the carriage. “You come with me. When we reach the jetty I want you to take a message for me.” He pulled a small envelope from his coat. “I had it ready. I always expect the worst. The coachman will carry you there, and I have no doubt the news of your visit will be all over the town within an hour.” He smiled grimly. “But the Viceroy is not the only man with cunning.”

  As they clattered past Colpoys and his sweating marines, Dumaresq said, “Take a man with you.” He glanced at Bolitho’s expectant face. “A body-guard, if you like. I saw that prize-fighting fellow in the quarter-boat. Stockdale, that’s his name? Take him.”

  Bolitho marvelled. How could Dumaresq contain so many things at once? Out there a man was dying, and Palliser’s own life would not be worth much if he failed to obtain some information. There was someone in Rio who must be connected with the missing bullion, but not the one for whom he was carrying Dumaresq’s letter. There was a ship, her people and the captured Heloise, and thousands of miles still lay ahead before they knew success or failure. For a post-captain of twenty-eight, Dumaresq certainly carried a great burden on his shoulders. It made Jury’s missing watch seem almost trivial.

  A tall, black-haired half-caste with a basket of fruit on her head paused to watch the carriage as it rolled past. Her bare shoulders were the colour of honey, and she gave a bold smile as she saw them watching her.

  Dumaresq said, “A fine looking girl. And a prouder pair of catheads I never did see. It would be worth the risk of a painful payment later on just to relish her!”

  Bolitho did not know what to say. He was used to the coarse comments of sailors, but from Dumaresq it seemed vulgar and demeaning.

  Dumaresq waited for the carriage to stop. “Be as fast as you can. I intend to take on fresh water tomorrow and there’s a lot to be done before that.” He strode to the stairs and vanished into his gig.

  Later, with Stockdale sitting opposite him and filling half the carriage, Bolitho directed his coachman to the address on the envelope.

  Dumaresq had thought of everything. Bolitho or any other stranger might have been stopped and questioned here. But the sight of the carriage with the Viceroy’s insignia on either door was enough to gain access anywhere.

  The house where the carriage eventually pulled to a halt was a low building surrounded by a thick wall. Bolitho imagined it was one of Rio’s oldest houses, with the additional luxury of a large garden and a well-tended driveway to the entrance.

  A Negro servant greeted Bolitho without a flicker of surprise and led him into a great circular entrance hall with some marble vases which contained flowers like those he had seen in the garden and several statues which stood in separate alcoves like amorous sentries.

  Bolitho hesitated in the centre of the hall, uncertain of what to do next. Another servant passed, eyes fixed on some distant object as he ignored the letter in Bolitho’s hand.

  Stockdale rumbled, “I’ll go an’ stir their stumps for ’em, sir!”

  A door opened noiselessly, and Bolitho saw a slightly built man in white breeches and a deeply frilled shirt watching him.

  He asked, “Are you from the ship?”

  Bolitho stared. He was English, “Er, yes, sir. I am Lieutenant Richard Bolitho of His Britannic . . .”

  The man came to meet him, his hand outstretched. “I know the name of the ship, Lieutenant. All Rio knows it by now.”

  He led the way to a book-lined room and offered him a chair. As the door was closed by an unseen servant, Bolitho saw Stockdale standing massively where he had left him. Ready to protect him, to tear the house down brick by brick, he suspected.

  “My name is Jonathan Egmont.” He smiled gently. “That will mean nothing to you. You must be very young for your rank.”

  Bolitho rested his hands on the arms of the chair. Heavy, well carved. Like the house, it had been here for a long time.

  Another door opened and a servant waited for the man named Egmont to notice him.

  “Some wine, Lieutenant?”

  Bolitho’s mouth wa
s like a kiln. He said, “I would welcome a glass, sir.”

  “Rest easy then, while I read what your captain has to tell me.”

  Bolitho glanced around the room as Egmont walked to a desk and slit opened Dumaresq’s letter with a gold stiletto. Shelf upon shelf of books, while on the floor were several rich-looking carpets. It was difficult to see very much because his eyes were still half blinded by the sun’s glare, and anyway the windows were so heavily shaded that it was almost too dark to study his host. An intelligent face, he thought. A man about sixty, although he had heard that in such a climate men could age rapidly. It was hard to guess what he was doing here, or how Dumaresq had discovered him.

  Egmont laid the letter carefully on the desk and looked across at Bolitho.

  “Your captain has said nothing of this to you?” He saw Bolitho’s expression and shook his head. “No, of course he would not, and it was wrong of me to ask.”

  Bolitho said, “He wished me to bring the letter without delay. That is all I know.”

  “I see.” For a few moments he looked unsure, even apprehensive. Then he said, “I shall do what I can. It will take time, of course, but with the Viceroy away from his residence I have no doubt your captain will wish to remain for a while.”

  Bolitho opened his mouth and then shut it as the door swung inwards and a woman entered the room carrying a tray.

  He got to his feet, very conscious of his crumpled shirt, of his hair plastered to his forehead by the sweat of the journey. Set against what he was certain was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, he felt like a vagrant.

  She was dressed all in white, the waist of her gown nipped in with a thin golden belt. Her hair was jet black like his own, and although held in check by a ribbon at the nape of her neck, was arranged to fall on her shoulders, the skin of which looked like silk.

  She glanced at him and then studied him from top to toe, her head slightly on one side.

  Egmont was also on his feet and said stiffly, “This is my wife, Lieutenant.”

  Bolitho bowed. “I am honoured, ma’am.” He did not know what to say. She made him feel clumsy and unable to form his words, and all without saying anything to him.

  She placed the tray on a table and raised her hand towards him.

  “You are welcome here, Lieutenant. You may kiss my hand.”

  Bolitho took it, feeling her softness, her perfume which made his head spin.

  Her shoulders were bare, and despite the darkened room he saw that she had violet-coloured eyes. She was beautiful and more. Even her voice as she had offered her hand to him was exciting. How could she be his wife? She must be many years younger. Spanish or Portuguese, certainly not English. Bolitho would not have cared if she had just stepped from the moon.

  He stammered, “Richard Bolitho, ma’am.”

  She stood back and put her fingers to her mouth. Then she laughed. “Bo-li-tho! I think it will be easier for me to call you Lieutenant.” She swung her gown across the floor, her eyes moving to her husband. “Later, I think I may call you Richard.”

  Egmont said, “I will write a letter for you to take with you, Lieutenant.” He seemed to be looking past, even through her. As if she was not there. “I will do what I can.”

  She turned to Bolitho again. “Please call on us while you are in Rio. Our house is yours.” She gave a slow curtsy, her eyes on his face, until she said softly, “I have enjoyed our meeting.”

  Then she was gone, and Bolitho sat down in the chair as if his legs had broken under him.

  Egmont said, “I shall be a few moments. Enjoy the wine while I put pen to paper.”

  Eventually it was done, and as he sealed the envelope with scarlet wax Egmont remarked distantly, “Memory has a long reach. I have been here for many years and have rarely strayed but for the needs of my business. Then one day there comes a King’s ship, commanded by the son of a man once dear to me, and now everything is changed.” He stopped abruptly and then said, “But you will be in a hurry to return to your duties.” He held out the letter. “I bid you good day.”

  Stockdale eyed him curiously as he left the book-lined room. “All done, sir?”

  Bolitho paused as another door opened and he saw her standing there, her gown making her look like another perfect statue against the dark room beyond. She did not speak, or even smile, but just looked at him, directly, as if, Bolitho thought, she was already committing herself to something. Then her hand moved and stayed momentarily at her breast, and Bolitho felt his heart pounding as if trying to join hers in her hand.

  The door closed, and he could almost believe he had imagined it or that the wine had been too strong.

  He glanced at Stockdale and saw the look on his battered face and knew it was no lie.

  “We had better get back to the ship, Stockdale.”

  Stockdale followed him towards the sunlight. Not a bit too soon, he thought.

  It was dusk by the time the boat from the landing-stairs made fast to the main chains. Bolitho climbed up to and through the entry port thinking of the beautiful woman in the white gown.

  Rhodes was waiting with the side-party and whispered quickly, “The first lieutenant is looking for you, Dick.”

  “Lay aft, Mr Bolitho!” Palliser’s brusque tones silenced Rhodes before he could say more.

  Bolitho climbed to the quarterdeck and touched his hat. “Sir?”

  Palliser snapped, “I have been waiting for you!”

  “Yes, sir. But the captain ordered me on an errand.”

  “And a fine time it has taken you!”

  Bolitho controlled his sudden anger with an effort. Whatever he did or tried to do, Palliser was never satisfied.

  He said quietly, “Well, sir, I am here now.”

  Palliser peered at him as if to seek out some kind of insolence.

  Then he said, “During your absence ashore, the master-at-arms, who was acting upon my orders, searched some of the people’s messes.” He waited for Bolitho to react. “I do not know what kind of discipline you are trying to instil into your division, but let me assure you it will take a lot more than a bribe of spirits and wine to achieve it! Mr Jury’s watch was found in the possession of one of your maintopmen, Murray, so what say you?”

  Bolitho stared at him incredulously. Murray had saved Jury’s life. But for his swift action on the Heloise’s deck that night, the midshipman would be dead. And if Jury had not thrown the sword to replace Bolitho’s lost hanger, he too would be a corpse. It had been their bond, of which none of them had spoken.

  He protested, “Murray is a good hand, sir. I cannot see him as a thief.”

  “I’m certain of that. But you have a lot to learn, Mr Bolitho. Men like Murray would not dream of thieving from a messmate, but an officer, even a lowly midshipman, is fair game.” He controlled his voice with an obvious effort. “But that is not the worst part. Mr Jury had the impertinence, the monstrous audacity, to tell me he had given the watch to Murray as a gift! Can you, even you, Mr Bolitho, believe it?”

  “I can believe he said it to save Murray, sir. He was wrong, but I can well understand.”

  “Just as I thought.” He leaned forward. “I will see that Mr Jury is put ashore for passage to England the moment we are in company with some higher authority, and what do you think of that?”

  Bolitho said hotly, “I think you are acting unfairly!”

  He could feel his anger giving way to despair. Palliser had tried to provoke him, but this time it had got suddenly out of hand.

  He said, “If you are trying to discredit me through Mr Jury, then you are succeeding. But even to contemplate it, knowing he has no family, and that he will give his very soul to the Navy, is damnable! And if I were you, sir, I’d be sick with shame!”

  Palliser stared at him as if he had been struck. “ You what!”

  A small figure bobbed from the shadows. It was Macmillan, the captain’s servant.

  He said, “Beg pardon, gentlemen, but the cap’n would like
you in ’is cabin at once.”

  He shrank back as if expecting to be knocked senseless.

  Dumaresq was standing in the centre of the day-cabin, legs apart, hands on hips, as he glared at his two lieutenants.

  “I’ll not have you brawling on my quarterdeck like a pair of louts! What in hell’s name has got into you?”

  Palliser looked shocked, even pale, as he said, “If you had heard what Mr Bolitho said, sir . . .”

  “Heard? Heard? ” Dumaresq jabbed one fist towards the skylight. “I’d have thought the whole ship heard well enough!”

  He looked at Bolitho. “How dare you show insubordination to the first lieutenant. You will obey him without question. Discipline is paramount if we are not to become a shambles. I expect, no, I demand that the ship is at all times ready to act as I dictate. To bicker over some petty matter within earshot of anyone present is a madness, and I’ll not tolerate it!” He examined Bolitho’s face and added in a calmer tone, “It must not happen again.”

  Palliser tried again. “I was telling him, sir . . .” He fell silent as the compelling eyes turned on him like lamps.

  “You are my first lieutenant, and I shall uphold what you do under my command. But I will not have you using your temper on those too junior to hit back. You are an experienced and skilled officer, whereas Mr Bolitho is new to the wardroom. As for Mr Jury, he knows nothing of the sea but that which he has learned since we left Plymouth; would you say that is a fair assessment?”

  Palliser swallowed hard, his head bowed beneath the beams as if he was in prayer.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. That is something we agree upon.”

  Dumaresq walked to the stern windows and stared at the reflected lights on the water.

  “Mr Palliser, you will pursue the matter of the theft. I do not wish a useful hand like Murray punished if he is innocent. On the other side of the coin, I’ll not see him evade it if he is guilty. The whole ship knows what has happened. If he walks free from this because of our inability to discover the truth, there will be no controlling the real trouble-makers and sea-lawyers amongst us.” He held out his hand to Bolitho. “You have a letter for me, I expect.” As he took it he added slowly, “Deal with Mr Jury. It is up to you to treat him fairly but severely. It will be as much a test for you as it is for him.” He nodded. “Dismissed.”